Jessica Chastain Cut From Xavier Dolan's 'The Death & Life of John F. Donovan'

Director Xavier Dolan has announced that he has cut Jessica Chastain out of his upcoming film, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.

“What you need to hear from me is that Jessica Chastain‘s character, after what was a long period of reflection, had to be cut from the film. It was an extremely difficult decision to make. I feel, toward Jessica, a very sincere love, and a great admiration. The decision was editorial and narrative, in that it has nothing to do with a performance, and everything to do with a character, and the compatibility of its storyline,” the 28-year-old director explained on Instagram. “This ‘villain’ subplot, albeit funny and entertaining, didn’t feel like it belonged to the rest of the story, which ended up not being on heroes or their nemesis, bur [sic] rather on childhood, and its dreams.”

Xavier continued, “Jessica has, since the very beginning, defended this project, and defended me on so many occasions. She is a terrific actress, a politically engaged artist, what is more, who relentlessly champions the causes she believes in. She is respected by her peers, and beloved by her public.”

Jessica was supposed to play a tabloid editor in the film also starring Kit Harington, Natalie Portman, Bella Thorne, Susan Sarandon, Thandie Newton, and more.